Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Bas Goa Bus

Twenty Five years from now when, like Ted, I am telling my kids the story of "How I met your Mother", there are not many things I would tell them not to do. I want them to learn from their experiences. But, there is one thing I would tell, "Kids, never travel by a Goa Transport Bus".
Not that I have been a crazy traveler and visited all exotic places all round. But, I have been somewhat crazy with the modes of Transport. I have gone through all the shit I could- Traveling.

For starters, I have traveled extensively in Raichur Buses, on a week-end basis in Raichur-Gulbarga Intercity. I have traveled in Tumkur Private buses, to be specific Pavagada, where I had to stand on one foot so that I don't stamp on fresh dropping from the sheep below the adjacent seat. Slept on Newspapers with Shoes as Pillow. Took a drop in a truck carrying coconut shells, sitting on the comfort of dry coconut shells. And after all this when I say a Goa Bus was the worse, I would let your imagination run wild for a while.

When I was a kid I used to sit with my grand-father at a Library he owned, just across the Library was District Central Jail, the buses used to park right opposite to our Library, I used to be petrified when the were parked right in front of my eyes. The moment I stepped into this bus it got me back the old frightening memories. Now, thinking of it, Goa Kadamba Buses are surely discarded buses from all the Karnataka Central Jails.
Go Goa! Seriously?
Well I boarded this bus at an unknown place called Ramnagar, Westen Ghats, around 30kms from Dandeli, I was enjoying the freshness of cleanest air in Karnataka, while just 2 steps into the Bus it vanished, which was taken over by a strange smell which was blend of all the things I hated. Alcohol, after effects of excess Alcohol. Trust me the smell was so horrible that I used to smell my sweaty jacket to feel better. And when finally I got a seat I was greeted by a passenger with a unique style which my friends back in Hostel called "OMLETing"

"What Happens at Vegas, stays at Vegas", does not apply to Indian Vegas. At least the under-aged couple next seat having difficulty with the infant stands testimony to "What Happens at Goa, does not stay at Goa".

But an hours and a half drive on National Highway- 4A, will make you forget everything. It also made me forget that the direction I was headed to.

To my defense- A conductor standing at the Bus door and shouting "Madhgaon", or Margao sounds like Belgaum.

Two hours of bus ride in the most crappiest Bus, and the best bus Route. I ended up in Ponda, four hours away from my destination, Belgaum.

Anyway, guys there is a lot more in Goa than portrayed in movies and stuff, trust me if you haven't covered NH-4A on the way to Goa then there is no point going to Goa. 

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